U.S. patent number 11,108,140 [Application Number 16/686,676] was granted by the patent office on 2021-08-31 for antenna and attachment method for rechargeable implantable medical device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pacesetter, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is PACESETTER, INC.. Invention is credited to Christopher A. Crawford, James T. Dean, Perry Li.
United States Patent |
11,108,140 |
Li , et al. |
August 31, 2021 |
Antenna and attachment method for rechargeable implantable medical
device
Abstract
Devices and methods are provided for an implantable medical
device (IMD) comprising a device housing having electronic
components therein, a feedthrough assembly joined to the device
housing, an antenna assembly, and a header body mounted to the
device housing and enclosing the antenna assembly and feedthrough
assembly. The antenna assembly including an inner conductor, a
dielectric material, and an outer conductor arranged to form a
coaxial structure.
Inventors: |
Li; Perry (Arcadia, CA),
Dean; James T. (McKinney, TX), Crawford; Christopher A.
(Carrollton, TX) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PACESETTER, INC. |
Plano |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Pacesetter, Inc. (Sylmar,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005772251 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/686,676 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20200083598 A1 |
Mar 12, 2020 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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15345187 |
Nov 7, 2016 |
10483628 |
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62268981 |
Dec 17, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B
5/0031 (20130101); H04B 5/00 (20130101); H01Q
1/273 (20130101); H01Q 13/08 (20130101); H04B
5/0037 (20130101); A61N 1/37229 (20130101); A61B
5/0031 (20130101); G06K 19/07758 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01Q
1/12 (20060101); H01Q 1/27 (20060101); H04B
5/00 (20060101); H01Q 13/08 (20060101); A61B
5/00 (20060101); A61N 1/372 (20060101); G06K
19/077 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;343/718 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tran; Binh B
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 62/268,981, filed Dec. 17, 2015. And Ser. No. 15/245,187
that issues on Nov. 19, 2019 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,483,628
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An implantable medical device, comprising: a device housing
having electronic components therein; a feedthrough assembly joined
to the device housing; an antenna assembly; a header body mounted
to the device housing and enclosing the antenna assembly and
feedthrough assembly; the antenna assembly including an inner
conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric material disposed
between the inner conductor and the outer conductor, wherein the
inner conductor, the dielectric material and the outer conductor
are concentrically arranged relative to one another about a
longitudinal axis to form a tubular coaxial structure, and the
dielectric material surrounds a perimeter of the inner conductor
and the outer conductor surrounds a perimeter of the dielectric
material; and the antenna assembly is formed with an ellipse shaped
cross-section that includes a major portion and a minor portion,
the major portion corresponding to the tubular coaxial structure
formed of the inner and outer conductors and dielectric
material.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the header body includes metallic
components comprising at least one of a sensor electrode and
receptacles configured to receive terminals on a lead, the tubular
coaxial structure avoiding RF coupling with the metallic
components.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the minor portion has a smaller
diameter, relative to a diameter of the major portion, the minor
portion including a ground conductor having a distal end fixed
within an opening in the outer conductor, the inner and ground
conductors extending in a common direction from a bottom surface of
the antenna assembly.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the inner conductor is elongated
with a proximal end and a distal end, the inner conductor extending
from a bottom surface of the antenna assembly by a predetermined
length to at least partially tune the antenna assembly to a select
communication frequency.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein the antenna assembly includes a
distal surface where the inner conductor, dielectric material and
outer conductor terminate, the antenna assembly configured to
generate RF fields between the inner and outer conductors at the
distal surface in connection with RF communications.
6. The device of claim 3, further comprising a pin receptacle
mounted within the header body, the pin receptacle electrically
coupled to the antenna assembly.
7. The device of claim 3, further comprising a pin receptacle,
wherein the pin receptacle includes a pin retention cavity therein
including a proximal end that is open to receive a feedthrough pin
when the header body is mounted on the feedthrough assembly and the
device housing.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the pin receptacle includes a
spring mounted within the pin retention cavity, the spring
configured to physically and electrically engage the feedthrough
pin when inserted into the pin retention cavity.
9. An implantable medical device, comprising: a device housing
having electronic components therein; a feedthrough assembly joined
to the device housing, the feedthrough assembly including a
feedthrough pin coupled to the electronic components within the
device housing, the feedthrough pin having a distal end extending
from the feedthrough assembly; an antenna assembly; a header body
enclosing the antenna assembly; a pin receptacle mounted within the
header body, the pin receptacle electrically coupled to the antenna
assembly, the pin receptacle including a pin retention cavity
therein, the pin receptacle including a proximal end that is open
to the pin retention cavity, the feedthrough pin configured to be
inserted into the pin retention cavity when the header body is
mounted on the feedthrough assembly and the device housing; the pin
receptacle including a spring mounted within the pin retention
cavity, the spring configured to physically and electrically engage
the feedthrough pin when inserted into the pin retention cavity;
and the antenna assembly including an inner conductor, an outer
conductor and a dielectric material disposed between the inner
conductor and the outer conductor, wherein the inner conductor, the
dielectric material and the outer conductor are concentrically
arranged relative to one another to form a tubular coaxial
structure having a longitudinal axis, the dielectric material
surrounds a perimeter of the inner conductor and the outer
conductor surrounds a perimeter of the dielectric material.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the antenna assembly is formed
with an ellipse shaped cross-section that includes a major portion
and a minor portion, the major portion corresponding to the coaxial
structure formed of the inner and outer conductors and dielectric
material.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the minor portion has a smaller
diameter relative to the diameter of the major portion, the minor
portion including a ground conductor having a distal end fixed
within an opening in the outer conductor, the inner and ground
conductors extending in a common direction from a bottom surface of
the antenna assembly.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to
implantable medical devices, and more particularly to antenna and
attachment mechanisms for use with rechargeable implantable medical
devices.
An implantable medical device (IMD) is a medical device that is
implanted in a patient to, among other things, monitor electrical
activity of a heart, and optionally to deliver therapy. An IMD may
record cardiac activity of a patient over time and report such
cardiac activity to an external device. The IMD device may
optionally perform various levels of sophisticated analysis of the
cardiac activity and based thereon perform additional recording
operations. The IMD may also be configured to deliver appropriate
electrical and/or drug therapy. Examples of IMDs include cardiac
monitoring devices, pacemakers, cardioverters, cardiac rhythm
management devices, defibrillators, neurostimulators and the like.
The electrical therapy produced by an IMD may include, for example,
pacing pulses, cardioverting pulses, and/or defibrillator pulses.
The device is used to both provide treatment for the patient and to
inform the patient and medical personnel of the physiologic
condition of the patient and the status of the treatment.
In general, an IMD includes a battery, memory and electronic
circuitry that are hermetically sealed within a metal housing
(generally referred to as the "can"). The metal housing typically
is formed of titanium and includes a shell with an interconnect
cavity, in which the memory, pulse generator and/or processor
module reside. The device housing is configured to receive a header
assembly. The header assembly comprises a mechanical structure
which houses an antenna and a sensing electrode. A feedthrough
assembly is located at a header receptacle area and is sealed to
the device housing to form an interface for conductors to
enter/exit the interconnect cavity.
Some IMDs communicate with external devices and/or other implanted
devices through an RF antenna. One of the primary requirements for
an RF antenna operating within an implantable medical device is to
fit within the small size of a device header while maintaining a
satisfactory level of RF performance. Conventional IMDs include an
antenna that coexists with other metallic structures in the header
such as leads and connector blocks.
However, recent developments with rechargeable IMDs have presented
an additional challenge. In at least one proposed rechargeable IMD,
a charge coil is provided in the device header where the charge
coil comes into close proximity with the antenna. The charge coil
both restricts the size of the antenna and creates a potential RF
coupling effect with the antenna. The coupling effect causes RF
energy to leak out of the antenna to the coil where the RF energy
is lost. The coupling effect decreases the signal power exhibited
by the antenna thereby degrading RF performance.
Conventional antennas utilize antenna configurations that do not
fit within the tight space requirements of a rechargeable IMD when
the charge coil in the header. Further, conventional IMD antenna,
such as the monopole or loop antennas, suffer undue degradation due
to RF coupling when the charge coil is added to the header.
A need remains for a new type of antenna that is both small and
does not experience undue performance degradation in the presence
of nearby metal objects like a charge coil.
Further, conventional attachment mechanisms that couple the antenna
to a feedthrough experience certain limitations. In particular,
conventional attachment mechanisms complicate the assembly and
manufacturing process.
A need remains for an improved attachment mechanism between the
feedthrough assembly and electronic components within the device
header.
SUMMARY
In accordance with embodiments herein, an implantable medical
device (IMD) is provided comprising a device housing having
electronic components therein, a feedthrough assembly joined to the
device housing, an antenna assembly, and a header body mounted to
the device housing and enclosing the antenna assembly and
feedthrough assembly. The antenna assembly including an inner
conductor, a dielectric material, and an outer conductor arranged
to form a coaxial structure.
Optionally, the dielectric material surrounds a perimeter of the
inner conductor and the outer conductor surrounds a perimeter of
the dielectric material. Optionally, the coaxial structure formed
by the inner conductor, dielectric material and outer conductor is
elongated and extends along a longitudinal axis. Wherein the inner
conductor, the dielectric material, and outer conductor are formed
concentrically about the longitudinal axis.
Optionally, the header body includes metallic components comprising
at least one or a sensor electrode and receptacles configured to
receive terminals on a lead. The coaxial structure avoiding RF
coupling with the metallic components. Optionally the antenna
assembly is formed with an ellipse shaped cross-section that
includes a major portion and a minor portion, the major portion
corresponding to the coaxial structure formed between the inner and
outer conductors and dielectric material. The minor portion has a
smaller diameter, relative to a diameter of the major portion, the
minor portion including a ground conductor having a distal end
fixed within an opening in the outer conductor, the inner and
ground conductors extending in a common direction from a bottom
surface of the antenna assembly.
Optionally, the inner conductor is elongated with a proximal end
and a distal end, the inner conductor extending from a bottom
surface of the antenna assembly by a predetermined length to at
least partially tune the antenna assembly to a select communication
frequency. Optionally, the antenna assembly includes a distal
surface where the inner conductor, dielectric material and outer
conductor terminate, the antenna assembly configured to generate RF
fields between the inner and outer conductors at the distal surface
in connection with RF communications.
Optionally, the device further comprising a pin receptacle mounted
within the header body, the pin receptacle electrically coupled to
the antenna assembly. The pin receptacle includes a pin retention
cavity therein including a proximal end that is open to receive a
feedthrough pin when the header body is mounted on the feedthrough
assembly and the device housing. Optionally, the pin receptacle
includes a spring mounted within the pin retention cavity, the
spring configured to physically and electrically engage the
feedthrough pin when inserted into the pin retention cavity.
In accordance with embodiments herein, an implantable medical
device (IMD) is provided comprising a device housing having
electronic components therein, and a feedthrough assembly joined to
the device housing. The feedthrough assembly including a
feedthrough pin coupled to the electronic components within the
device housing. The feedthrough pin having a distal end extending
from the feedthrough assembly. The device comprising an antenna
assembly, a header body enclosing the antenna assembly, and a pin
receptacle mounted within the header body. The pin receptacle
including a pin retention cavity therein, the pin receptacle
including a proximal end that is open to the pin retention cavity,
the feedthrough pin configured to be inserted into the pin
retention cavity when the header body is mounted on the feedthrough
assembly and the device housing.
Optionally, the pin receptacle includes a spring mounted within the
pin retention cavity. The spring is configured to physically and
electrically engage the feedthrough pin when inserted into the pin
retention cavity. Optionally, the pin receptacle includes a spring
having a base securely affixed to an interior surface of the pin
retention cavity. The spring includes spring arms projecting from
the base into the pin retention cavity. The spring arms are
configured to deflect when the feedthrough pin is inserted through
the opening in the proximal end of the pin receptacle.
Optionally, the antenna assembly includes an inner conductor, a
dielectric material, and an outer conductor arranged to form a
coaxial structure, wherein the dielectric material surrounds a
perimeter of the inner conductor and the outer conductor surrounds
a perimeter of the dielectric material. Optionally, the dielectric
material surrounds a perimeter of the inner conductor and an outer
conductor surrounds a perimeter of the dielectric material.
Optionally, the antenna assembly is formed with an ellipse shaped
cross-section that includes a major portion and a minor portion,
the major portion corresponding to the coaxial structure formed
between the inner and outer conductors and dielectric material.
Optionally, the minor portion has a smaller diameter relative to
the diameter of the major portion, the minor portion including a
ground conductor having a distal end fixed within an opening in the
outer conductor, the inner and ground conductors extending in a
common direction from a bottom surface of the antenna assembly.
In accordance with embodiments herein, a method provides an
implantable medical device (IMD). The method comprising assembly of
a device housing having electronic components therein, joining a
feedthrough assembly to the device housing, providing an antenna
assembly including an inner conductor, a dielectric material, and
an outer conductor arranged to form a coaxial structure. And
assembling a header body that embeds the antenna assembly therein
to the device housing and enclosing the antenna assembly and
feedthrough assembly.
Optionally, the method further comprising inserting a feedthrough
pin extending from the feedthrough assembly into a pin retention
cavity of a pin receptacle electrically coupled to the antenna
assembly when the header body is mounted on the feedthrough
assembly and the device housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an antenna assembly in
accordance with embodiments herein.
FIG. 1B illustrates an opposite perspective view of the antenna
assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of RF fields radiating from
the antenna assembly of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the antenna assembly of FIG.
1A.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of a pin receptacle in
accordance with embodiments herein.
FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of an antenna assembly to be
assembled with a device housing in accordance with embodiments
herein.
FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of an antenna assembly to be
assembled with a device housing in accordance with embodiments
herein.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an antenna assembly joined
to a device housing in accordance with embodiments herein.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an antenna assembly joined
to a device housing in accordance with embodiments herein.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an implantable medical
device in accordance with embodiments herein.
FIG. 9 illustrates a method for providing an implantable medical
device in accordance with embodiments herein.
FIG. 10A illustrates a perspective view of an antenna assembly in
accordance with embodiments herein.
FIG. 10B illustrates an opposite perspective view of the antenna
assembly of FIG. 10A.
FIG. 10C illustrates a perspective view of a ground conductor in
accordance with embodiments herein.
FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an antenna assembly in
accordance with embodiments herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It will be readily understood that the components of the
embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the figures
herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations in addition to the described example embodiments.
Thus, the following more detailed description of the example
embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to
limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely
representative of example embodiments.
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" (or the like) means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus,
appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an
embodiment" or the like in various places throughout this
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate opposite perspective end views of an
antenna assembly formed in accordance with embodiments herein. With
reference to FIG. 1A, the antenna assembly 100 includes an inner
conductor 102, a dielectric material 104, and an outer conductor
106. The inner conductor 102, dielectric material 104 and outer
conductor 106 are arranged relative to one another to form a
coaxial structure. For example, the dielectric material 104
surrounds a perimeter of the inner conductor 102, while the outer
conductor 106 surrounds a perimeter of the dielectric material 104.
The antenna assembly 100 may utilize various coaxial structures. In
the example of FIG. 1A, the coaxial structure is generally tubular,
with the inner conductor, dielectric material and outer conductor
elongated to extend along a longitudinal axis 108. The inner
conductor 102, the dielectric material 104 and outer conductor 106
are formed concentrically about the longitudinal axis 108.
Optionally, the antenna assembly 100 may be formed in alternative
coaxial structures with alternative cross-sections, such as a
rectangular cross-section, hexagonal cross-section, trapezoidal
cross-section, oval cross-section, elliptical cross-section,
triangular cross-section and the like.
The inner conductor 102 includes a distal end 110 and a proximal
end 112. The distal end 110 terminates substantially flush with a
distal surface 114 of the antenna assembly 100. Antenna assembly
100 also includes a bottom surface 116, from which the inner
conductor 102 extends by predetermined distance 118.
FIG. 1B illustrates the antenna assembly 100 from an end opposite
to the view illustrated in FIG. 1A. In FIG. 1B, the bottom surface
116 is more visible as well as the portion of the inner conductor
102 that extends from the dielectric material 104. The proximal end
112 of the inner conductor 102 includes an opening 120 that opens
onto a pin retention cavity (described below in more detail in
connection with FIG. 4) within the inner conductor 102. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the inner conductor 102 is shaped to
form a pin receptacle (described below in more detail in connection
with FIG. 4). During the assembly, a feedthrough pin (extending
from a feedthrough) is received through the opening 120 and extends
into a pin retention cavity within the inner conductor 102.
The antenna assembly 100 is formed with an ellipse shaped
cross-section that includes a major portion 124 and a minor portion
126. The major portion corresponds to the coaxial structure formed
between the inner and outer conductors and dielectric material 102,
106 and 104. The minor portion 126 has a smaller diameter, relative
to a diameter of the major portion 124. The minor portion 126 also
includes a ground conductor 128 that extends into an opening within
the outer conductor 106. The ground conductor 128 having a distal
end 130 (FIG. 1A) fixed within an opening in the outer conductor
106. The distal end 130 terminates substantially flush with the
distal surface 114 of the antenna assembly 100. The ground
conductor 128 includes a proximal end 132. The proximal end 132
includes an opening 134 (FIG. 1B) that opens onto an internal pin
retention cavity (FIG. 4). During the assembly, a ground
feedthrough pin (extending from a feedthrough) is received through
the opening 134 and extends into a pin retention cavity within the
ground conductor 128.
The inner and ground conductors 102, 128 extend in a common
direction from the bottom surface 116 of the antenna assembly 100.
The ground conductor 128 extends from the bottom surface 116 by a
predetermined distance 118 similar to a length of the inner
conductor 102. For example, the ground conductor 128 may extend by
the predetermined distance 118.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of RF fields 202 radiating
from the antenna assembly 100 in accordance with embodiments
herein. During RF communications, a voltage differential is created
between the inner and outer conductors 102, 106. The voltage
differential gives rise to RF fields 202 emitting from the distal
surface 114 of the antenna assembly 100. The RF fields 202 radiate
between the inner conductor 102 and the outer conductor 106. The RF
fields 202 radiate uniformly or equally in all directions along the
coaxial structure of the major portion 124 of the antenna assembly
100. For example, the RF fields 202 uniformly radiate between the
inner and outer conductors 102, 106 about the longitudinal axis
108.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the antenna assembly 100 in
accordance with embodiments herein. The outer conductor 106
surrounds a perimeter of the dielectric material 104. The outer
conductor 106 and the dielectric material 104 are elongated along
the longitudinal axis 108. For example, the outer conductor 106 and
the dielectric material 104 extend between the distal surface 114
and the bottom surface 116 of the antenna assembly 100. The
dielectric material 104 has an inner passage 302. The inner passage
302 is hollow and extends between the distal surface 114 and the
bottom surface 116 along the longitudinal axis 108. The inner
passage 302 is shaped and sized to receive the inner conductor 102.
For example, in the illustrated embodiment the inner passage 302
and the inner conductor 102 are generally tubular in shape.
Optionally, the inner passage 302 and the inner conductor 102 may
be formed in an alternative shape and size with alternative
cross-sections. For example, the inner passage 302 and the inner
conductor 102 may be formed of any alternative mating shapes.
The minor portion 126 (of FIG. 1B) of the antenna assembly 100
includes a ground passage 328. The ground passage 328 is hollow and
extends between the distal surface 114 and the bottom surface 116
of the antenna assembly 100. The ground passage 328 is shaped and
sized in order to receive the ground conductor 128. In the
illustrated embodiment the ground passage 328 and the ground
conductor 128 are generally tubular in shape. Optionally, the
ground passage 328 and the ground conductor 128 may be formed in
any other alternative shape and size with alternative
cross-sections. For example, the ground passage 328 and the ground
conductor 128 may be formed of any alternative mating shapes.
The antenna assembly 100 is formed by molding the inner conductor
102 within the inner passage 302 such that the distal end 110 of
the inner conductor 102 is generally flush with the distal surface
114 of the antenna assembly 100. The ground conductor 128 is molded
within the ground passage 328 such that the distal end 130 of the
ground conductor 128 is generally flush with the distal surface 114
of the antenna assembly 100. The inner and ground conductors 102,
128 are held rigidly relative to the distal surface 114 of the
antenna assembly 100 in a manner that eliminates axial movement and
that eliminates rotation.
Optionally, the inner conductor 102 and the ground conductor 128
may be fixed within the inner passage 302 and the ground passage
328, respectively, by various methods. For example, the inner and
ground conductors 102, 128 may be fixed within the inner and ground
passages 302, 328 by casting, welding, mechanical fasteners, a
tolerance press fit, or the like.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the inner conductor
102. The inner conductor 102 and the ground conductor 128 are
configured with the same cross-sectional structure, therefore only
the cross-section of the inner conductor 102 will be described in
more detail. The inner conductor 102 is shaped to form a pin
receptacle 402. The pin receptacle 402 is electrically coupled to
the antenna assembly 100. The pin receptacle extends between the
proximal end 112 and the distal end 110 of the inner conductor 102.
For example, the pin receptacle extends the predetermined distance
118.
The pin receptacle 402 has a pin retention cavity 404 therein. The
pin retention cavity 404 extends within the pin receptacle 402
along the longitudinal axis 108. The pin retention cavity 404 is
open at the proximal end 112. The pin retention cavity 404 extends
between the opening 120 at the proximal end 112 of the pin
receptacle 402 and a closed end 412 proximate the distal end 110 of
the pin receptacle 402.
The pin receptacle 402 includes a spring 406. The spring 406 is
mounted within the pin reception cavity 404. The spring 406 is
positioned within the pin retention cavity 404 proximate to the
opening 120 at the proximal end 112.
The spring 406 has a spring base 408 and one or more spring arms
410. The spring base 408 is fixed within the pin retention cavity
404 near the opening 120. The one or more spring arms 410 project
from the spring base 408 into the pin retention cavity 404. The
spring arms 410 are biased towards the longitudinal axis 108. The
spring arms 410 are configured to deflect when the spring 406
receives a feedthrough pin through the opening 120 of the pin
receptacle 402. For example, the one or more spring arms 410 are
configured to deflect away from the longitudinal axis 108 when a
feedthrough pin is inserted into the pin retention cavity 404. The
one or more spring arms 410 are configured to physically and
electrically engage a feedthrough pin (described in more detail
below with FIGS. 5A and 5B). In the illustrated embodiment of FIG.
4, the spring has two spring arms 410. Optionally, the spring 406
may have any number of spring arms 410. Alternatively, the pin
receptacle 402 may have no spring arms.
FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a perspective view of the antenna
assembly 100 to be assembled with a device housing 505 in
accordance with embodiments herein. A feedthrough assembly is
joined to the device housing. The device housing 505 has one or
more of electrical components therein. For example, the one or more
electrical components may represent transceiving circuitry such as
one or more modems, transceivers, receivers, transmitters, or the
like.
The device housing and a feedthrough assembly are part of an
implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD may be configured to
monitor electrical activity, and optionally to deliver therapy. For
example, the IMD may record cardiac activity of a patient over
time, may report such cardiac activity to an external device, and
may perform various levels of sophisticated analysis of the cardiac
activity and based thereon perform additional recording operations.
Recognized embodiments can be implemented in any one or more IMDs
of any one or more of neurostimulator devices, implantable leadless
monitoring and/or therapy devices, or alternative implantable
medical devices. For example, the IMD may represent a cardiac
monitoring device, pacemaker, cardioverters, cardiac rhythm
management devices, defibrillators, neurostimulators, leadless
monitoring devices, and the like. FIGS. 5A and 5B may represent a
device housing of a neurostimulator device. See for example U.S.
Pat. No. 9,333,351 "Neurostimulation Method And System To Treat
Apnea" and U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,610 "System And Methods For
Providing A Distributed Virtual Stimulation Cathode For Use With An
Implantable Neurostimulation System", which are hereby incorporated
by reference. Additionally or alternatively, FIGS. 5A and 5B may
represent a device housing of a leadless IMD. See for example U.S.
Pat. No. 9,216,285 "Leadless Implantable Medical Device Having
Removable And Fixed Components" and U.S. Pat. No. 8,831,747
"Leadless Neurostimulation Device And Method Including The Same",
which are hereby incorporated by reference. Additionally or
alternatively, FIGS. 5A and 5B may represent a device housing of an
alternative IMD. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 8,391,980 "Method
And System For Identifying A Potential Lead Failure In An
Implantable Medical Device" and U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,485 "System And
Method For Selectively Communicating With An Implantable Medical
Device", which are hereby incorporated by reference.
In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the antenna
assembly 100 is separate from the device housing 505. The antenna
assembly 100 is embedded in a header body (not shown, described in
more detail below with FIGS. 8 and 9). The opening 120 of the inner
conductor 102 is axially aligned with a feedthrough pin 502
extending through and in a direction generally away from a
proximate surface 510 of the device housing 505. For example, the
feedthrough pin 502 may extend by a predetermined distance 516.
Additionally, the opening 134 of the ground conductor 128 is
axially aligned with a ground feedthrough pin 504 extending through
and in a direction generally away from the proximate surface 510.
For example, the ground feedthrough pin 504 may extend by the
predetermined distance 516.
The inner conductor 102 and the ground conductor 128 are positioned
in order to receive the feedthrough pin 502 and the ground
feedthrough pin 504, respectively, into the pin receptacles of the
inner and ground conductors 102, 128. For example, the inner
conductor 102 and the ground conductor 128 receive the feedthrough
pin 502 and the ground feedthrough pin 504 into the openings 120,
134, respectively, when the antenna assembly is loaded in a
direction B along the longitudinal axis 108.
The one or more springs arms 410 retain the antenna assembly 100 on
the feedthrough pin 502 and ground feedthrough pin 504 of the
device housing 505. The spring arms 410 of the inner conductor 102
electrically and physically engages the feedthrough pin 502 when
the feedthrough pin 502 is inserted into the pin retention cavity.
For example, the antenna assembly 100 is operably connected with
the electrical components of the device housing 505 when the spring
arms 410 of the pin retention cavity of the inner conductor 102
electrically and physically engage the feedthrough pin 502.
Additionally, the spring arms 410 of the ground conductor 128
electrically and physically engage the ground feedthrough pin 504
when the ground feedthrough pin 504 is inserted into the pin
retention cavity. The ground conductor 128 grounds the antenna
assembly 100 to the device housing 505 when the spring arms 410
electrically and physically engage the ground feedthrough pin
504.
The antenna assembly 100 is joined to the device housing 505 by the
feedthrough pin and ground feedthrough pin 502, 504 received within
the inner conductor and the ground conductor 102, 128. For example,
the spring arms 410 (FIG. 4) of the pin receptacle of the inner
conductor 102 and the ground conductor 128 maintain a linear
position of the antenna assembly 100 assembled onto the feedthrough
pin 502 and ground feedthrough pin 504. Optionally, in an
alternative embodiment, the inner conductor and the ground
conductor may be devoid of a spring. In an alternative embodiment,
an inner conductor and a ground conductor may be joined to a
feedthrough pin and a ground feedthrough pin by alternative
methods. For example, the alternative inner and ground conductors
may be joined to the feedthrough and ground feedthrough pins by
soldering, welding, crimping, alternative mechanical fastening or
the like.
FIGS. 5A and 5B include one or more of metallic components 512,
514. The metallic components 512, 514 may comprise one or more of a
sensor electrode, connector blocks or receptacle configured to
receive terminals on a proximal end of one or more leads. The
metallic components 512, 514 are operably connected with the
electrical components within the device housing 505.
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an antenna assembly
assembled to a device housing. An antenna assembly 600 has an inner
conductor 602, a dielectric material 604, and an outer conductor
606 (corresponding to the inner conductor, dielectric material and
outer conductor 102, 104, 106 of FIG. 1). The inner conductor 602,
dielectric material 604 and outer conductor 606 are arranged
concentric relative to one another to form a coaxial structure. The
antenna assembly 600 may utilize various coaxial structures. In the
example of FIG. 6, the coaxial structure is generally tubular, with
the inner conductor, dielectric material and outer conductor
elongated to extend along a longitudinal axis 608. The inner
conductor 602, the dielectric material 604 and the outer conductor
606 are formed concentrically about the longitudinal axis 608.
The inner conductor 602 includes a distal end 610 and a proximal
end 612. The distal end 610 terminates substantially flush with a
distal surface 614 of the antenna assembly 600. Antenna assembly
600 also includes a bottom surface 616, from which the inner
conductor 602 extends by a predetermined distance 618.
In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the inner conductor 602 is shaped to
form a pin receptacle (e.g., corresponding to the pin receptacle
402 of FIG. 4). The proximal end 612 of the inner conductor 602
includes an opening that opens onto a pin retention cavity (e.g.,
corresponding to the pin retention cavity 404 of FIG. 4) within the
inner conductor 602. During the assembly, a feedthrough pin (e.g.,
corresponding to the feedthrough pin 502 of FIG. 5A) extending from
a device housing 605 is received into the opening and extends into
the pin retention cavity within the inner conductor 602. One or
more spring arms (e.g., corresponding to the spring arms 410 of
FIG. 4) physically and electrically engage the feedthrough pin when
the feedthrough pin is inserted into the pin retention cavity of
the inner conductor 602.
The outer conductor 606 has one or more ground arms 620 evenly
distributed about a perimeter of the outer conductor 606. The
ground arms 620 extend from the bottom surface 616 of the antenna
assembly 600 in a direction generally away from the antenna
assembly 600. The ground arms 620 have a distal end 624 positioned
near the bottom surface 616 of the antenna assembly. The ground
arms 620 have a proximal end 626 located remote from the bottom
surface 616. In the illustrated embodiment, three ground arms 620
extend from the bottom surface 616 of the antenna assembly 600.
Optionally, the antenna assembly may have any number of ground arms
620. For example, the antenna assembly may comprise one or two
ground arms. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna assembly
may have more than three ground arms.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, the ground arms 620 have a
rectangular cross-section and are elongated along the longitudinal
axis 608. Optionally, the ground arms 620 may have any alternative
cross-sectional shape. Additionally or alternatively, the ground
arms 620 may have a common cross-section shape and/or size, or
unique cross-section shapes and/or sizes.
The inner conductor 602 and the ground arms 620 extend in a common
direction from the bottom surface 616 of the antenna assembly 600.
The ground arms 620 extend from the bottom surface 616 by a length
similar to or longer than the length of the inner conductor 602.
For example, the ground arms 620 may extend by the predetermined
distance 618.
The pin receptacle of the inner conductor 602 receives the
feedthrough pin when the antenna assembly 600 is joined to the
device housing 605. The one or more spring arms of the pin
receptacle electrically and physically engage the feedthrough pin
when the feedthrough pin is inserted into the pin retention
cavity.
FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an antenna assembly
assembled to a device housing. An antenna assembly 700 has an inner
conductor 702, a dielectric material 704, and an outer conductor
706 (corresponding to the inner conductor, dielectric material, and
outer conductor 102, 104, 106 of FIG. 1). The inner conductor 702,
dielectric material 704 and outer conductor 706 are arranged
relative to one another to form a coaxial structure. The antenna
assembly 700 may utilize various coaxial structures. The coaxial
structure includes a generally tubular cross-section, with the
inner conductor, dielectric material and outer conductor elongated
to extend along a longitudinal axis 708. The inner conductor 702,
the dielectric material 704 and the outer conductor 706 are formed
concentrically about the longitudinal axis 708.
The inner conductor 702 includes a distal end 710 and a proximal
end 712. The distal end 710 terminates substantially flush with a
distal surface 714 of the antenna assembly 700. Antenna assembly
700 also includes a bottom surface 716, from which the inner
conductor 702 extends by a predetermined distance 718.
The proximal end 712 of the inner conductor 702 includes an opening
that opens onto a pin retention cavity (e.g., corresponding to the
pin retention cavity 404 of FIG. 4) within the pin receptacle of
the inner conductor 702.
The antenna assembly 700 includes a grounding bar 720 that has a
distal end 724 and a proximal end 726. The distal end 724 is
physically and electrically engaged with a perimeter of the outer
conductor 706. The proximal end 726 is physically and electrically
engaged with a proximate surface 722 of the device housing 705. The
grounding bar 720 has an L-shape profile with a plane of the distal
end 724 generally perpendicular with a plane of the proximal end
726.
Optionally, the grounding bar 720 may utilize alternative
positions, shapes and/or sizes in order to physically and
electrically engage the outer conductor 706 with the device housing
705.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an implantable medical
device (IMD) in accordance with an embodiment herein. FIG. 9
illustrates a method for providing an IMD in accordance with an
embodiment herein. The operations of FIG. 9 will be described in
connection with FIG. 8.
An IMD 800 has a device housing 805. At 902 of FIG. 9, the process
includes assembling the device housing 805 having electronic
components therein. Examples of the various electronic components
are described herein. The electronic components may include a
memory, sensing circuitry to sense cardiac signals of interest, one
or more processors to perform monitoring operations, transceiver
circuitry to communicate with external devices and other components
of the like. The memory, processors, and other electronic
components are assembled within the device housing 805 formed of a
biocompatible material.
At 904, the process includes joining a feedthrough assembly to the
device housing 805. The housing 805 includes a feedthrough opening
at one end The feedthrough assembly is welded to the feedthrough
opening, thereby hermetically sealing the interior of the device
housing 805.
The IMD 800 has a header assembly 802. At 906, the header assembly
802 is assembled by embedding the antenna assembly 100, a
rechargeable coil 804, and one or more metallic components (e.g.,
sensor leads, receptacles, connector blocks or the like) within a
header body 806. The rechargeable coil 804 extends about a majority
of the header body 806. For example, the rechargeable coil 804
includes one or more windings that extend along a length of the
header assembly 802. A portion of the windings extend along bottom,
end, and distal edges of the header assembly 802. The antenna
assembly 100 is oriented with the bottom surface 116 facing towards
the feedthrough pin 502 and the ground feedthrough pin 504
extending from the feedthrough assembly of the device housing
805.
At 908, the header assembly 802 is assembled to the device housing
805. The process of assembly includes the antenna assembly 100
operably connecting with the electronic components within the
device housing 805. For example, the one or more spring arms of the
inner conductor and ground conductor 102, 128 of the antenna
assembly 100 are physically and electrically engaged with the
feedthrough pin 502 and ground feedthrough pin 504 (FIG. 5A).
Additionally, the rechargeable coil 804 is operably connected with
the electronic components within the device housing 805. The header
assembly 802 is welded to the device housing 805, thereby
hermetically sealing the IMD 800. For example, the header assembly
802 assembled to the device housing 805 encloses the antenna
assembly 100 and the feedthrough assembly.
FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrates an alternative cross-section of an
antenna assembly 1000. The antenna assembly 1000 includes an inner
conductor 1002, a dielectric material 1004, and an outer conductor
1006. The outer conductor 1006 and the dielectric material 1004
have a generally uniform oval cross-section shape, and the inner
conductor 1002 has a circular cross-section. The dielectric
material 1004 surrounds a perimeter of the inner conductor 1002,
while the outer conductor 1006 surrounds a perimeter of the
dielectric material 1004. The inner conductor 1002, dielectric
material 1004 and outer conductor 1006 are arranged relative to one
another to form an eccentric structure. The inner conductor 1002,
dielectric material 1004 and outer conductor 1006 are elongated to
extend along a longitudinal axis 1008.
FIG. 10C illustrates a perspective view of a ground conductor 1028
in accordance with an embodiment herein. The ground conductor 1028
and inner conductor 1002 are generally the same shape and size.
Only the ground conductor 1028 will be described in more
detail.
The ground conductor 1028 has a circular cross-section and is
generally tubular along the longitudinal axis 1008 between a distal
end 1030 and a proximal end 1032. The ground conductor 1028 has a
header portion 1046 positioned proximate the distal end 1030 and a
bottom portion 1048 positioned proximate the proximal end 1032. A
body portion 1042 extends between the header portion 1046 and the
bottom portion 1048. The header portion 1046, the body portion 1042
and the bottom portion 1048 are generally concentric. The body
portion 1042 has a length that is longer relative to a length of
the header portion 1046 and a length of the bottom portion
1048.
The ground conductor 1028 is tapered between the distal and
proximal ends 1030, 1032. For example, a diameter of the header
portion 1046 is smaller relative to a diameter of the body portion
1042, and the diameter of the body portion 1042 is smaller relative
to a diameter of the bottom portion 1048.
Returning to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the ground conductor 1028 is molded
within an opening of the antenna assembly 1000. The distal end 1030
terminates substantially flush with the distal surface 1014 of the
antenna assembly 1000.
The dielectric material 1004 surrounds a perimeter of the header
portion 1046 at the distal surface 1014. The bottom portion 1048 of
the ground conductor 1028 extends from a bottom surface 1016. A
perimeter of the body portion 1042 is surrounded partially by the
dielectric material 1004 and partially by the outer conductor 1006.
The proximal end 1032 touches the outer conductor 1006 at the
bottom surface 1016 of the antenna assembly 1000. For example, the
ground conductor 1028 is electrically and physically engaged with
the outer conductor 1006.
The inner conductor 1002 and the ground conductor 1028 are
positioned in order to receive a feedthrough pin and a ground
feedthrough pin (e.g., corresponding to the feedthrough pin 502 and
the ground feedthrough pin 504 of FIG. 5A).
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative cross-section of an antenna
assembly 1100. The antenna assembly 1100 corresponds to the antenna
assembly 1000 of FIGS. 10A and 10B. An outer conductor 1106 and a
dielectric material 1104 have a concentric rectangular
cross-section with parallel side walls 1120, 1122, and parallel end
walls 1124, 1126. An inner conductor 1102 has a circular
cross-section. The inner conductor 1102, dielectric material 1104,
and outer conductor 1106 extend along a longitudinal axis 1108.
A ground conductor 1128 (corresponding to the ground conductor 1028
of FIG. 10C) is assembled with the antenna assembly 1100. A
perimeter of a body portion (e.g., body portion 1042 of FIG. 10C)
is surrounded partially by the dielectric material 1104 and
partially by the outer conductor 1106. The ground conductor 1128 is
electrically and physically engaged with the outer conductor 1106.
The inner conductor 1102 and the ground conductor 1128 are
positioned in order to receive a feedthrough pin and a ground
feedthrough pin (e.g., corresponding to the feedthrough pin 502 and
the ground feedthrough pin 504 of FIG. 5A).
FIGS. 10A, 10B and 11 illustrate an antenna assembly having an
outer conductor and a dielectric material with a common, concentric
cross-section. Optionally, the outer conductor may have
cross-section that is unique relative to the dielectric
material.
The various methods as illustrated in the FIGS. and described
herein represent exemplary embodiments of methods. The methods may
be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In
various of the methods, the order of the steps may be changed, and
various elements may be added, reordered, combined, omitted,
modified, etc. Various of the steps may be performed automatically
(e.g., without being directly prompted by user input) and/or
programmatically (e.g., according to program instructions).
Various modifications and changes may be made as would be obvious
to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure. It is intended to embrace all such modifications and
changes and, accordingly, the above description is to be regarded
in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in
an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however,
be evident that various modifications and changes may be made
thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention as set forth in the claims.
Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure.
Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various
modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated
embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been
described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that
there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form
or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover
all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents
falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in
the appended claims.
The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents
in the context of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially
in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to
cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated
herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including" and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. The term "connected," when unmodified and
referring to physical connections, is to be construed as partly or
wholly contained within, attached to or joined together, even if
there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values
herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein and each separate value is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. The use of the term "set" (e.g., "a set of items")
or "subset" unless otherwise noted or contradicted by context, is
to be construed as a nonempty collection comprising one or more
members. Further, unless otherwise noted or contradicted by
context, the term "subset" of a corresponding set does not
necessarily denote a proper subset of the corresponding set, but
the subset and the corresponding set may be equal.
All references, including publications, patent applications and
patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the
same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically
indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its
entirety herein.
It is to be understood that the subject matter described herein is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
the arrangement of components set forth in the description herein
or illustrated in the drawings hereof. The subject matter described
herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of
being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood
that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of
"including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof
herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and
equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be
illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described
embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination
with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions,
types of materials and coatings described herein are intended to
define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means
limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will
be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above
description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the
appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as
the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising"
and "wherein." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms
"first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and
are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in
means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted
based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f), unless and until such claim
limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by a
statement of function void of further structure.
* * * * *